This perfectly moist, tender and soft Lemon Layer Cake is iced in a wonderful lemon cream cheese frosting and bursting with irresistibly zingy and tangy lemon flavor!!!
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Spring is around the corner! Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Down coats and hat hair have sent me spiraling into a Winter blues that I’m too ready to rid myself of.
I absolutely love Spring. And while lemons feel springy, they are actually in season during the winter.
Lemons are tangy, sweet, sour and wonderfully acidic. This Lemon Layer Cake is an ode to my love of all things that feel Spring. And maybe, just maybe, this recipe might encourage Spring come around just a little sooner!
The Heart and Soul of the Best Lemon Layer Cake
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Contains Gluten and Dairy
Key Flavor: Bold Lemon
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sweet Highlights:
- Intense Lemon: Packed with lemon juice and zest for a vibrant citrus burst.
- Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Tangy, creamy complement to the zesty cake layers.
- Versatile for Events: Ideal for birthdays, gatherings, or any lemon-love moment.
- Visually Striking: Bright layers make a stunning, sunny presentation.
- Great for Advance Prep: Flavors deepen beautifully overnight.
Ingredients
This cake texture is perfectly soft and tender. And each bite is filled with a wonderfully nuanced yet bright lemon flavor. It will make you pucker. But the frosting is even better!
It has such a creamy yet light and fluffy texture with hints of lemon and vanilla to offset the cake. The following ingredients truly make a difference in the nature of this recipe.
- Neutral Oil
- Butter
- Sour Cream
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Extract
- Cream Cheese
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Vanilla
The base of this cake is a wonderful mix of both oil and butter. The oil adds a wonderful moistness to the cake and the butter adds incredible fat and richness to this cake. Together they are the best of both worlds.
For additional richness and a moist crumb, I use sour cream. I adore sour cream in cakes. There is nothing better than a full fat cream in a cake. You will taste the difference.
For lemon flavor, both lemon zest and extract are used. Fresh lemon zest brightens the batter in a bold way and extract is more of a subtle brightening. Together they make this cake pucker perfect!
Cream cheese is my secret in creating the best buttercream for this cake. It adds a flavor profile that contrasts the zing of the lemon. I whip this along with heavy whipping cream to make the texture more like a whipped cream. Finally, I also add vanilla to both the cake and buttercream that brings another flavor profile to this cake.
How To Build A Layer Cake
Building a layer cake can be intimidating and honestly, a bit more difficult than I’d like it to be. Luckily for you, I’ve made my fair share of layer cakes and I’m here to help you out so you can make this lemon layer cake a success.
- Don’t Stack Uneven Layers
Uneven cake layers make for a wobbly cake that might not withstand assembly. Taking the extra time to create a stable cake will ensure a more visually appealing result.
After your layers have completely cooled (and I mean COMPLETELY) use a sharp serrated knife to trim both the tops and edges. Each layer should be flat, even and a bit crumbly. Be patient and careful; this process is one that takes practice.
- Don’t Frost a Warm Cake
Frosting a cake before it has cooled is a recipe for disaster. The moment your frosting hits the cake it will begin to melt and run everywhere. You want your frosting to work like glue, so let it!
If you’re as impatient as I am, it might be a good idea to bake and cool your cakes the day before assembly.
- Don’t Skip the Crumb Coat
By this point in the process you’ve already done so much work, so why skimp out now? Starting with a crumb coating helps you to avoid a clumpy, messy end result.
Once layered, apply a thin, even layer of buttercream to the top and side of the cake. Cover the cake and let refrigerate for about 15 minutes before applying the final coating.
Variations
I love the simplicity of this lemon layer cake; the flavors are straightforward and light while still being indulgent. The simple nature of this cake allows room for fun additions and new flavors. So, if you’re looking to make this cake your own, I’ve got your back!
Layer of Lemon Curd (Use my Homemade Lemon Curd HERE!)
If you’re feeling fancy, adding a layer of lemon curd is the way to go. Silky smooth, incredibly decadent and packed with pungent lemon flavor, curd is the perfect addition.
Both store-bought or homemade curd will work here. Your layers should consist of cake, frosting, curd and repeat. Yum! It will be similar to my Pineapple Coconut Cake with pineapple filling.
Candied Lemon Peels
Want to make your cake look like it came from a professional bakery? Decorating your cake with candied lemons is not only beautiful but it adds a textural component no one will expect. The peels are sweet, sour and citrusy; each one takes this recipe to the next level!
Add Fresh Fruit
Adding a pop of freshness brings a bit of extra Springtime flare to this cake. Between the layers of frosting and cake add in some raspberries, strawberries of even blueberries. The acidity in the lemon will enhance the sweetness of the fruit perfectly!
How to Store Layer Cake
You can store this lemon layer cake overnight at room temperature in a covered container. If you plan on making it further in advance then go ahead and refrigerate. You can also make the layers in advance and freeze them as long as they are wrapped (with plastic wrap) very well.
Before serving, be sure to bring your cake to room temperature. Butter based cakes tend to harden while refrigerating and you’ll miss out on that melt in your mouth experience.
More Delicious Lemon Recipes
If you ask me, there’s no such thing as too many lemon recipes. After a slice (or three) of this cake you’ll find that you just can’t get enough zing. Try out one of my other favorite lemon based recipes below!
- Lemon Loaf Cake
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
- Lemon Pound Cake,
- Lemon Blueberry Cake,
- Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake,
- Lemon Bars
- Delicious Lemon Cupcakes!
Lemon Layer Cake Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 4 cups confectioner's sugar
- 2 tsp heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp lemon extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
For the Cake
- Start by preheating your oven to 325°F then liberally spray 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with non-stick baking spray.
- In your mixer bowl, add oil and butter and beat for 2 minutes on high speed. Slowly add in sugar and beat on high speed for an additional 4-5 minutes until very pale yellow and fluffy. Next, add eggs, one at a time, combining well after each addition and scraping down the sides as needed.
- Turn your mixer down to its lowest speed, and slowly add flour into batter in two increments then add baking powder, salt and baking soda. Be careful not to over beat.
- Lastly, add sour cream, milk, lemon zest, lemon and vanilla extracts, scrape down sides and mix until just combined and turn off mixer.
- Evenly pour cake batter into prepared baking pans and place in oven to bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes just barely clean but don't over bake (crucial not to over bake this cake)!! I personally start checking the cakes around 27 minutes just to ensure.
- Remove cakes from oven and rest in pans for 10-15 minutes. Invert cakes from pans onto cooling racks until cooled.
For the Frosting
- Add butter and cream cheese to the bowl of your mixer and beat on high speed until it begins to thicken and fluff.
- Next slow down mixer and carefully add in confectioner’s sugar. Once all sugar has incorporated, turn mixer back to high to continue whipping.
- Add in heavy cream, vanilla, lemon extract and salt and continue whipping until it is smooth, light and a fluffy frosting.
To Assemble
- Level the cakes, if necessary, and slice each cake into two layers making a total of four layers of cake. Add frosting between layers then frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Serve.
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Hi Jocelyn! This is my favorite recipe as written, but I made a dairy free version today for a friend and just wanted to let you know it still turned out amazing! I subbed Miyokos dairy free butter and cream cheese, and Forager dairy free sour cream and it tastes just as good – you seriously can’t even tell!! Hoping this might help others looking to sub for DF version. Thanks for the great recipe!!
I’m making a lemon letter-style cake for my grandmother and I’d like to use this since I 100% trust your recipes. Would this amount of batter be enough to bake two thinner 9×13 cakes (I’d rather not tort)? And is it sturdy enough once cooled to cut my letter R out of the layers?
This is a really tender cake so it might need to be refrigerated/frozen before making any shapes.
Can this be made into cupcakes? How many do you think it would make? I’m filling them with a raspberry filling.
Thank you!
Yes I have this in cupcake form here: https://grandbaby-cakes.com/best-lemon-cupcakes/
Can you use cake flour?
You can but I would probably freeze a bit before frosting because they are soft tender layers.
This cake was unreal. So tender and moist. Will totally make again
Does baking this cake in a Bundt pan cause the cake to turn out less tender? This was my experience but a great flavor for sure as well as the frosting, very nice.
Yes I would suggest unfortunately my lemon pound cake instead if you want to use your bundt pan: https://grandbaby-cakes.com/lemon-cake-lemon-pound-cake-recipe/
Hello, the sour cream can be substituted for Greek yogurt?
yes it can
Looks delicious. Can I use lemon juice instead of extract???
Yes a lot of my followers have done this with great success.
I have made this cake several times and it is always a huge hit! One of my all time favorite cakes! I was wondering if the frosting can be colored like buttercream? I’ve been asked to make this cake for a child’s birthday, but they want it decorated with bright colors and a rainbow design.
Did you make it in 8″ round or bigger?
Hi! Do you recommend a specific brand for the lemon extract? Thank you!
Hi Amna, I love Nielsen Massey products.